Squeaking as pedalling

[James Up Hill]

I have acquired a squeak this week when pedalling, it is at its worst when full pressure on the pedals. It is something to do with the pedal part, as it squeaks when the right foot is between the 2 and 4 o'clock position (i.e. the pressure is firmest), and the same when the left foot is in the same position.

I took it to the bike shop yesterday and they replaced my bottom bracket as there was a bit of play in the pedals - indeed there was.

And it still squeaks, just as badly.

Any ideas please?

Thank you.

[cyclop]

Pedal bearings?If you,ve another pair,stick them in to test.

[Greystoke]

Have you checked the obvious and oiled the chain?

[pwa]

Have you checked the obvious and oiled the chain?

Either that, or something else that is running dry.

[Brucey]

Have you checked the obvious and oiled the chain?

Either that, or something else that is running dry.

for example, the rider...?...

FWIW a simple thing to do is to remove the chainrings, clean all the interfaces, and reassemble, using grease on the threaded parts of the bolts/sleeves only.

But in fairness squeaks like that can also come from

- the saddle/seat pin area
- the handlebars
- the pedals (less likely if it is both pedal strokes)
- the rear wheel/hub/cassette

Hours of fun tracking it down!

cheers

[James Up Hill]

Pedal bearings seem unlikely as it is both sides at the same time.

The chain was cleaned and oiled a week ago (first time I've ever done that...)

It's lower than the saddle (and I'll prove that by standing on the pedals in a few minutes). It's not the handlebars.

It sounds as though a herd of hamsters have taken up residence.

[roubaixtuesday]

Suggestion to try to replicate when stationary. Helps enormously diagnosing.

Rear QR not tight enough is another possibility. Heading dropouts can help prevent recurrence too.

[James Up Hill]

@Brucey "FWIW a simple thing to do is to remove the chainrings, clean all the interfaces, and reassemble, using grease on the threaded parts of the bolts/sleeves only."

This needs me to remove the crankset doesn't it. So this means that the shop which serviced it didn't clean it before reassembly?

@roubaixtuesday "Rear QR not tight enough is another possibility. Heading dropouts can help prevent recurrence too."

Sorry, you might as well be speaking Martian! QR? Dropout?

@roubaixtuesday "Suggestion to try to replicate when stationary. Helps enormously diagnosing."

Any ideas how? It squeaks when I'm pressing hard on the pedals.

Thanks all, much appreciated!

[James Up Hill]

Ah... QR - Quick release? I did change the rear tyre last week...

[Valbrona]

Light spray of WD40 over cleat/pedal interface.

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes, QR = quick release.

The interface with the rear drop outs is a very common source of noise in my experience. Tightening as far as possible should give you a quick improvement if it is that, greasing wil solve permanently. Lubing the cam enables a tighter closure too.

Re. Stationary, I would suggest seeing the bike up next to a wall, and put all your weight on one pedal, then the other. See if you can replicate, take it from there.

[philvantwo]

Spraying WD40 on your cleats is a big no no. Use furniture polish instead!

[Marcus Aurelius]

Put a small bit of lube at the points where the spokes in the wheels cross over each other.

[Trigger]

Possible shoe/pedal interface? I can get my MTB shoes to squeak on the pedals if I'm pressing on, I think it's one of the rubber blocks on the sole contacting somewhere.

[Brucey]

FWIW a simple thing to do is to remove the chainrings, clean all the interfaces, and reassemble, using grease on the threaded parts of the bolts/sleeves only.

This needs me to remove the crankset doesn't it.

usually the chainrings can come off the cranks -far enough to be cleaned anyway- without the cranks coming off the bike.

So this means that the shop which serviced it didn't clean it before reassembly?

it would not be normal to disassemble the chainset (i.e. take the chainrings off the cranks) when replacing the bottom bracket. Not unless this was specifically mentioned. It is simple job but it takes time to do.

Mind you, I'm assuming that your chainrings are detachable; they might not be...?

cheers